Signaling device



June 17 1924. 1,497,709

l.. BRUMBAUGH S IGNALING DEVICE Filed oct. 2Q 1923 wwvvw mm m Patented June 17, 1924.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

SIGNALING DEVICE.

Application filed October 2, 1923. Serial No. 666,213.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, LESTER BRUMBAUGH, a citizen of the United States, residing at Middlebranch, in the county of Stark and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Signaling Devices, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in Signaling devices, and has particular reference to means for indicating to a driver approaehin a road intersection or curve, that a vehic e is approaching such intersection or curve from the opposite direction.

The primary object of the invention is to provide a -device of the above kind, particularly adapted for use at night and depending for its operation upon its reflection of the light projected thereon from the headlight of the approaching vehicle.

An object of the invention is to provide a device of the above kind, which embraces the desired qualities of simplicity and durability of construction, as well as efficiency in operation.

A further object of the invention is to provide a signaling device wherein the light from the headlights of a motor vehicle approaching a road intersection or curve is projected at an angle to the line of travel of said vehicle in the direction in which Said road curve or intersection leads, provision being made for adjustment of the reflecting element within limited distances as required in the practical use of the device.

A further object of the invention is to provide for the notification of the fact that the driver is approaching Such curve or intersection, and at. the same time apprise others coming in opposite direction that such approach is made.

With the above general objects in view, and others that will become apparent as the nature of the invention is better understood, the same consists in the novel form, combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter more fully described, shown in the accom panying drawing and claimed.

In the drawing, wherein like reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views,

Figure l is a front elevational view of a signaling device construction in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 2 is a side elevational view thereof.

Figure 3 is a horizontal substantially central longitudinal sectional view of the device, shown in Figure 1, drawn on a smaller scale.

Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 3, illustrating a slight modification of the invention, and l Figure 5 is a view Similar to Figures 3 and 4 of a still further modification.

Referring more in detail to the drawing,

.the present invention embodies a casingb 5, 1y

preferably of cylindrical form, and suita supported, at the required elevation in a horizontal position b means of a post or standard 6 of any desired form. The casing 5 is open at one or both ends, depending upon the number of directions in which the light is required to be reflected, and the open end or ends is or are closed by means of green tinted or colored reflectors or mirrors 7 each in the form of a disc having a relatively large central opening 8, and suitably removably held in place by means of a fastening ring 9, similar to the manner of attaching lenses to headlights.- Arranged within the casing 5 is a suitable reflector- 10, and the casing is provided with an opening or openings as at 11, at one or more sides of the reflector 10, through which the light may be projected at an angle to the path at which it enters the casing 5 through the opening 8 of the reflector 7.

Referring to the form of the invention shown in Figures 1 and 3, specifically, the

casing is closed at one end by means of an opaque wall 12, and has the other end thereof provided with a green colored reflector disc 7, having the central opening 8, the reflector 10 being of substantially V-shape and mountedlwith its guide members vertically disposed and converging at a. point indicated at 13 rearwardly of the central portion of the opening 8. Also, the openings 11 are provided in the sides of the casing 5, in position to permit the passage of light rays from a mirror 1() in either direction. The V-Shaped mirror is preferably mounted by hinging the same as at 14, for horizontal swinging movement at the pointed or narrow end thereof, so that thevmirror may be adjusted for refiecting the light at the desired angle when the cross road does not extend exactly at right angles to the road which the mirror 7 faces. The openings 11 are preferably closed, by means of screen elements or grills 15, so that the mirror 10 is effectively protected against breakage by flying objectsor missiles that may be ca-relessl thrown. In the use of vthis form of the lnvention vwhich is especially useful in points where a road terminates at an intersecting road that extends in opposite directions at right angles thereto, the casing is supported so that the openings 11 are opposed to the opposite portions of the intersecting roads with the reflector disc 7 facing the road that terminates at said'intersecting road. When thus arranged, 1t will be'apparent that the lights from the headlight of a motor vehicle directly Iapproaching the reflector 7 will pass through the" opening 8 on to the Aopposite` sides of the mirror 1() and 'be thereby reflected through both 'of the openings 11 so as to advise drivers of vehicles approaching thesides of the device, that the first mentioned vehicle is approaching. Also, the light of said headlight shining'upon said mirror 7 will advise the driver of the vehicle having these headlights that the intersectionis about to vbe approached, thusserving as a Warning at all three portions of the road.

. The device shownin Figure 4 is identicall of the same construction as that shown in ligures 1 to 3, except that a different form of mirro'r 1.0 is employed, the last mentioned 4mirror being of single flat form and. disposed obliquely within the casing 5 to only project thelight through one side opening 11, when the road does not extend in a direction from the other side of the device, the remaining opening in the battery casing being unnecessary, at this time.V

The mirror 10 is pivotally mountedupon a vertical axis as at 14 so that the angle of the same may be changed as conditions may require or dictate. The operation is substantially the same as above outlined in general aspect.

In the form of the invention shown in Fi ure 5, the casing 5 is open at both ends and has each end thereof closed by means of a centrally apertured mirror 7, the mirror 10 within the casing beingof substantiall diamond shape as to reflect light throng opposite sides from the headlights of motor vehicles approaching either end of the casing. This form of the invention is particularly useful Where intersecting roads extend from each other in both directions, it being necessary to .provide a pair of o enings in each side of the casing 5 in this orm of the device, through which the reflector device may pass from the four operative portions ofthe mirror 10".

In practice, it is preferred to make the mirrors l0, 10 and 10 of red color, so as to serve as a danger signal when illuminated by the light from the headlights of approaching vehicles.

From the foregoing description, it is bevlieved that thelconstruction and operation,

as well as the advantages of the present invention will be readily understoodand appreciated by those skilled in the art.

Minor changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the inventionl as claimed.

What I claim as new is:

1. A light reflecting trafiic signal of the character described comprising a casing having an open end adapted to face one road at a road curve or intersection, a centrally aperture'd mirror closing the end f said casing, said casing having an opening in a side thereof, and a mirror within the casing in position to-receive light ra s enterin a side thereof, a mirror within the casing in position to receive light rays 'entering the opening in the first named mirror and to project the same through said opening in the side of the casing, said first namedvmirror being in the form of a disc and colored one color, and said second named mirror being colored a different color. 3. A light reflecting trafiic signal of the character described comprising a casin having an open end adapted to face one roa at a road curve or intersection, a centrally apertured mirror closing the end of `said casing, said casing having an opening in a side thereof, a mirror within the casing in position to receive light rays entering the opening in the first named mirror and to project the same through said opening in the side of the casing, said first named mirror being inthe form of a disc and colored one color, said second named mirror being colored a different color, and a screen closing the side opening of the casing for reventing entrance of objects therethrou 4. A light reflecting trafiic signal o the character described comprising a casing having an open end adapted to face one road at a road curve or intersection, a centrally apertured mirror closing the end of said casing, said casing having an opening in a side thereof, a mirror within the casing in position to receive light rays entering the opening in the first named mirror and to pro'ect the same through said opening in the si e of the casing, said first named mirror being in the form of a disc and colored one color, said second named mirror being colored a different color, said mirror bein obliquely disposed with respect to the longitudinal axis of the casing, and means mounting said mirror Within the easing for per-' mitting swinging of the same upon a vertical axls, whereby the angular relation of the mirror to the longitudinal axis of the casing may be adjusted.

5. A light refiecting traffic signal of the character described comprising a casing having an open end adapted to face one road at a road curve or intersection, a centrally apertured mirror closing the end of said casing, said casing having an opening in a side thereof, a mirror Within the casing in position to receive light rays entering the opening in the first named mirror and to project the same through said opening in the side of the casing, said rst named mirror being in the form of a disc and colored one color, and said second named mirror being colored a different color, said second named mirror comprising diverging members extending obliquely of the casing and seating at their ends nearest the first named reiiector substantiall centrally of the casing and the opening 1n the first named reflector.

In testimony whereof I ax my signature.

LESTER BRUAUGH. 

